Women's Health

Who are we?

Advanced Primary Care Services offers specialist care to patients that require care for a range of gynaecological conditions, but who do not require hospital treatment. Patients will be seen by a Practitioner with a special interest in gynaecology or a specialist gynaecology nurse.

Our services

The specialist APCS service provides a range of services aimed at treating patients with the following conditions:

• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
  
• Asymptomatic Ovarian Cysts
• Cervical Polyps
• Cervical Cryotherapy
  
• Change/insertion of Ring Pessary
  
• Difficult intrauterine device insertion
• Genital Prolapse
  
• Initial Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain
  
• Vulval Pathology

The people we see

The service sees women with gynaecological conditions, who have been referred to us by their GP or consultant. Patients should be 18 years old or over.

Existing patients

Existing patients or patients previously seen in the APCS service can be referred back into the service in the same way.

Services we do not offer

Treatment for patients with suspected cancer are not provided by the APCS team. These should be referred to main acute hospital care.

What you should bring with you

Patients are encouraged to bring a list of medicines with them to their appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What are Advanced Primary Care Services (APCS)

Advanced Primary Care Services see a variety of patients needing specialist, but not hospital treatment, for particular health problems. These services have been developed using the skills of practitioners with special interests who are GPs, nurses, therapists and other health professionals who develop additional expertise which enables them to expand their clinical practice in a defined area. These advanced practitioners are able to diagnose, manage and treat more simple problems and procedures in primary care, so reducing the need for a referral into main hospital/ consultant care.

What are GPs with special interests?

They are General practitioners (GPs) who supplements their core generalist role in a doctors surgery by delivering an additional high-quality service to meet the needs of patients. They must-

Demonstrate appropriate levels of skill and competence to fulfil the role they are specialist in (probably a postgraduate diploma in the relevant field).
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the key role the GPwSI is being asked to fulfil this is done through a vigorous process and accreditation with a local panel of professionals
Understand the appropriate clinical pathway.
Understand and participate in the clinical network in relation to the clinical pathway.
Set out commitment to ongoing training, updates and education through appropriate appraisal and a personal development plan.
Make appropriate indemnity arrangements.
Make appropriate peer review and mentoring arrangements.
Demonstrate how the role fits the existing portfolio.
Provide evidence of professional registration and recognition on a PCT performers list.